2020 Program Coming Soon!
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Take a look below at the #AVF2019 program!
Concurrent Sessions: 10:00am – 12:00pm & 13:30 – 15:30
08:15 - 09:00
Registration Check-in @ Volta in the Maritime Centre
Networking Breakfast – Coffee & Pastries
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome Introductions & Opening Remarks
09:15 - 10:00
Opening Keynote Speaker: Adam Nanjee | The Future of Scaling Startups: Partnerships, Cloud & Capital
Listen in as Adam shares from his plethora of industry related knowledge on the future of successfully scaling a startup through the use of partnerships, the cloud, and capital – only at #AVF2019!
Adam Nanjee
Managing Director, Canada
As an ambassador for Canada’s startup, technology and innovation communities, Adam Nanjee built Canada’s first FinTech startup and innovation national group at MaRS Discovery District, one of North America’s largest innovation hubs based in Toronto, Canada. Having worked in the startup and corporate innovation ecosystems for over 15 years at MaRS, MasterCard, BlackBerry, Zafin and presently at Microsoft, Adam combines his unique experience in scaling startups, venture capital, corporate technology integration and global technology partnerships. Adam is currently the Managing Director of Canada for Microsoft for Startups, working closely with Canadian entrepreneurs, founders, innovation hubs, and accelerators to scale Canadian startups using Microsoft platforms
10:00 - 10:45
Presentation | Will It Fly?
“How to know if your idea has wings”
Craig Elias
Award-Winning Startup Advisor, Entrepreneur, Educator & Author
Award-winning entrepreneur, educator, author and highly sought-after startup advisor –Craig Elias, is coming to Halifax for the reinvented AVF2019 to host the Entrepreneur Sessions! Craig has been chosen twice by LinkedIn as Canada’s #1 B2B Sales Expert (#15 globally for 2019), and is LinkedIn user 3,956 of 700 million users.
To say that Craig knows his way around the entrepreneurial ecosystem would be an understatement…
- As an entrepreneur, Craig’s first business went from initial launch to being funded by a Tier 1 US-based Venture Capitalist in less than 12 months.
- As a mentor, he has been a National Growth Advisor for Goldman Sachs’ and Babson College’s 10,000 Small Business Program in Boston, is on the advisory board for Nudge.ai in Toronto, is a mentor for the GrowthX Academy in San Francisco, and is on the advisory board for SXSW’s International pitch competition – an event held in Austin, Texas, that had over 800 submissions this year.
In his current role, he helps post-secondary students become first-time entrepreneurs, while also running student pitch competitions, and the Innovation Rodeo – a five-day innovation and entrepreneurship event held during the Calgary Stampede.
10:45 - 11:15
Presentations: Getting Funded
Part 1: Early Stage Funding
Sergio Escobar
Super Angel Investor & Limited Partner
Andrew Ray
VP of Investment
11:15 - 11:40
Presentations: Getting Funded
Part 2: Tax Credits & Government Incentives Throughout the Business Life-Cycle
James Christianson
Senior Manager, Business Tax Incentives
Nassim Bennacer
Senior Manager, Private Client Services
11:40 - 12:35
Full Delegate Networking Lunch
12:35 - 13:15
Lunch Keynote | Fireside Chat
Jeremy Rawitz
VP of Accelerator Sales, North America
13:15 - 14:15
Entrepreneur Session | The Art of the Deal
Part 1: Nailing Your Pitch
Craig Elias
Award-Winning Startup Advisor, Entrepreneur, Educator & Author
13:15 - 14:15
Entrepreneur Session | The Art of the Deal
Part 2: Realistic Deal Structuring
Luke Krueger
Co-Founder
14:15 - 15:15
Panel Conversation | Building Your Dream Team
Access to Talent, Retention Strategy, & Best Practices for hiring (and firing…) at your Tech Company. Join us for a discussion on the looming talent shortage (how to prepare), Building inclusive teams, Canada vs. the world / Atlantic Canada talent climate, and Talent as a startup’s #1 asset.
Marianne Bulger
Head of People & Platform
Thomas Rankin
CEO & Co-Founder
Kim Saunders
Vice President, Human Resources
Amy Pollard
Analyst, Strategic Investments
15:15 - 15:45
Presentation | Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make
Craig Elias
Award-Winning Startup Advisor, Entrepreneur, Educator & Author
15:45 - 16:00
Delegates Moves to the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel Sable Ballroom
16:00 - 16:45
Keynote Conversation | Scaling Your Company: Got Money...Now What?
Hear from local entrepreneurs that have raised capital and learn more about what a growing company looks like in the days after their funding is secured… Get the inside scoop from these growing Atlantic Canadian tech companies, as they break down their respective journeys toward raising capital, and what the growing pains look like once it is secured. Listen in to get a glimpse into what lies ahead after the cash is in hand…
Tony Van Bommel
Moderator
Senior Managing Partner
Kyle Gillis
Director of Finance
Bob Abraham
Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Jennifer Wagner
Executive VP of Corporate Development
16:45 - 19:00
The Official AVF Welcoming Reception at the Marriott Stones Throw Patio
This year, all #AVF2019 delegates are invited to join us for post day one cocktails and canapés! Make the most of your conference experience, grab a drink, and let the networking begin.
Enjoy the open air patio, scenic harbourfront views, and premium networking with who’s-who of the innovation, capital, and technology industries. The reception is open to all registered #AVF2019 delegates and we look forward to seeing you all there!
